Purdue aviation management degrees to be offered in Qatar

The Department of Aviation Technology is set to begin offering aviation-related bachelor's degrees in Qatar by Fall 2017 after the Purdue University Board of Trustees approved the proposal July 18.

The Qatar Foundation approached Purdue in 2010 about offering its respected aviation management program in Doha, Qatar, as part of its campus of academic programs offered by elite U.S. institutions. With the Board of Trustees approval, Purdue will become the seventh American university to offer select programs in the area. The program would be known as Purdue University at Qatar.

"This partnership benefits Purdue by expanding the university's global outreach and giving Purdue a global location," said Robert Cox, associate dean for globalization and engagement for the College of Technology. "There will also be opportunities for faculty development and student mobility and enrichment. The agreement also represents a growth opportunity for research partnerships across the University and a natural extension of our industry partnerships that could benefit from a more global reach."

Students who graduate with an aviation-related associate degree from Qatar Aeronautical College will be eligible to apply to the Purdue bachelor’s degree programs in aviation operations technology or aviation management. Work now begins to align the QAC program with Purdue requirements with plans for the first Purdue classes to be offered in Fall 2017. As the program matures, it could attract students from outside QAC who may not be able to travel to the United States for the same program.

Discussions will be ongoing about expanding Purdue’s offerings in the region. The program will be fully funded by the Qatar Foundation and staffed by Purdue administrators, faculty and staff.